The Barbarian's Stolen Bride (Northmen Barbarians 1)

I liked the possessiveness that was very clear from him when he gazed upon me. It made me feel like his world revolved around me. It was as if I was the only female he wanted to lay his eyes upon.

And those thoughts had me thinking about what Lila and Greta had said, how they confessed they’d never seen him with a woman, never heard of him having any interest toward one.

What was so special about me? It was a curiosity that ate at me. I was no one special, didn’t have wealth or status or a name that gave me power. Surely he could have his pick of any of the far more beautiful women in the village, or even a female of high stature from another kingdom.

But he wanted me.

And that softened me toward this brutal warrior, who could snap me in half as easily as I blinked.

He made another deep sound, one that portrayed disappointment. He turned from me and walked over to the massive wooden structure that held articles of clothing within these carved-out cubbyholes.

He wasn’t dressed for the day, not formally at least. He wore a white linen tunic and a pair of dark suede trews that covered his strong, powerful thighs. His feet were bare, and I realized even his feet—large to fit his massive body—were attractive as well.

I couldn’t take my focus off him as I watched him remove his shirt. Although I’d seen him shirtless last night, I was seeing him in a different light. Morning light.

The sun streamed in through the large window across from where he stood, the heavy cloth coverings pushed aside. I could see many more scars that littered his back. His skin was golden and smooth aside from those raised war markings.

The sight of the sinew and tendons flexing and bunching with every small movement he made had my mouth drying and caused me to bite gently on my bottom lip. He was definitely the most beautiful man I’d ever seen, if beauty was in a brutal, chipped-armor warrior kind of way.

He put on a fresh tunic, and I was transfixed all over again. He was putting on strips of leather across his chest that made up a holster for his knives and longsword. His fur-lined boots were next, but before he was finished, he added even more weapons.

Once he was completely dressed and armed like he was about to go to war, he turned around. Most of the weapons were concealed to where I couldn’t even really make out where they were.

I stared into his face and saw how he arched an eyebrow, clearly knowing I was gawking at him. And once more my face heated before I looked away.

“Is my little wife bashful to gaze upon her husband?”

I glanced at him then, the fall of my long, dark hair slightly obstructing my view. I pushed it out of the way and cleared my throat, trying to feign strength. “I didn’t mean to stare,” I said honestly, which was a lie.

And I wasn’t sorry either.

“I like you looking at me. I like the fact that you like the way my body is.”

Of course I’d never said I liked his body, but obviously me staring at him, my gaze tracing over the lines and hard ridges that made up his masculine chest, was confirmation enough.

I didn’t respond because I didn’t know what to say. I would just end up putting my foot in my mouth again and making the situation more awkward than it was.

So I focused on the food on the table, still so much that I worried about what would happen to the uneaten items.

Maybe my concern was written across my face, because I felt him stop right beside me. “What’s not eaten is given to anyone in the castle who is hungry. Believe me, we don’t waste here.”

I looked up at him and licked my lips, nodding slowly, immensely pleased by this. “I’m glad.” Although I didn’t know why I was surprised once again by his actions.

He had an index finger under my chin again, lifting my head up slightly, and before I could understand what he was doing, he was leaning down close to me.

I held my breath, assuming he’d kiss me. Desperately wanting him to. But when his firm, full lips pressed to the center of my forehead, I couldn’t help the way my eyes fluttered closed, or the warmth that tingled all the way down to my toes.

He stayed there for long seconds before straightening. And I forced my eyes open, looking up at him, every part of me wanting to reach out and pull him closer.

This was insane. I was insane for feeling these things.

With a low sound rumbling out of his chest, Fen turned and left, leaving me alone to contemplate how long I thought I’d last without begging him to touch me.